STEM—Growing ECE Educators Who Can Support Children’s

Learning in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math

Suzanne Thouvenelle, Early Childhood Learning & Knowledge Center (ECLKC)

Head Start Information & Communication Center (HSICC)

#1 Poll

Webinar Focus: What’s in it for Me?

Take-Aways—• STEM messages – what is STEM and why STEM skills are so important in ECE

now and in our future;

• current research about quality ECE science and math experiences in preschool classrooms;

• how STEM domains promote children’s school readiness outcomes;

• effective ways to use the natural world to support children’s learning and development in Science, Math and other domains;

• key Science process skills of observing, predicting, investigating, classifying, and communicating, which are the basis of critical thinking and learning for children;

• web-accessible resources for staff development that scaffold EC educators to build Science and Math competencies (absolutely over 100 free resources); and

• strategies that teaching staff can use to promote parent/family engagement that is critical to improving the home environment’s learning supports.

How does the natural world connect with ECE Hot Topics?

Current Research and Trends

SR—

STEM—

NBLD—

Take a minute to think about these acronyms and what they mean.How would you define these terms or concepts?

#2 Poll

How does the outdoor environment connect with these ECE Hot Topics?

Current Research and Trends

SR—School Readiness

STEM—Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics

NBLD—Nature Based Learning & Development

#3 Poll

1/3 of Americans would rather clean a toilet than do a math problem—what promise does that hold for us?

Is it possible that STEM is central to successful school readiness outcomes for young children?

Let’s closely look at the topicsincluded in STEM, and howoutdoor environments might relate to children’ssuccess in school and In life.

What do we know about STEM and our Future?

By 2030 when today’s preschoolers will be looking for work—how many STEM jobs will be available?

What can EC Educators do to more effectively address STEM concepts?

What Does the Research Say?

Children Learn Using All the Science Process Skills

What’s Keeping Teachers from Quality Math and Science in EC Environments?

• Lack of comfort and uncertainty

• Lack of time

• Lack of resources

So What Can We Do About ?

Build teachers’ competencies in four areas:• Planning and implementing learning experiences

that advance the intellectual development of children;

• Creating learning environments that inspire children to ask questions;

• Becoming more aware of children’s questions and responding in ways that challenge their thinking further; and

• Encouraging and supporting the involvement of families in their children’s learning experiences.

Old Words, New Again

• Mathematize—draw out and call attention to math content and processes in children’s experiences; first known use of mathematize—1908

• Scientize Definition: to treat with a scientificapproach –-the attempt to scientize reality, to name it and classify it; first Known Use of scientize—1890

State Early Learning Standards Are the Foundation for Designing Intentional Experiences

Let’s Begin with Science

Where’s the Science?

Looking Inside STEM

Science-Centered Approach

Children’s Time Exploring the Natural World is the Perfect Launch for STEM Experiences

How many learning and development opportunities do we have in the outdoor environment that intentionally support STEM and school readiness? How many could we have?

Stop & Think…Scientize & Mathematize

The

Cognition &General Knowledge includes Math andScience

5 Domain elements number concepts & quantities number relationships & operations geometry and spatial sense patterns measurement and comparison

Do you see others?

Creates patterns

Science – Compares ObjectsGathers, sorts and classifies objects Observe and describe natural materials

Orders objectsby size

Knowledge of theNatural World – explores water

Domain: Social & Emotional Development

Domain: Physical Dev & Health

Example – Develops motor control and balance

Example – Develops strengthand dexterity

Example – Understandsmovement concepts

Example – Develops motorcoordination & skill

Where do you see opportunities for STEM experiences in these outdoor environments?

OHS Discovering Science Series Webcasts

Let’s do Science? Webcast #1

Look What I Know. See What I Can Do! Webcast #2

Science through

Language and Literacy--Webcast #3

Bringing It All Together in Effective Environments Webcast--#4

1 2 3 4

Teacher’s Guide to the Discovering Science Webcast Series

Marvelous Explorations of Science through Stories (MESS)

Only a Minute About the M in STEM

Research Review of Children’s Early Math Competencies

ECLKC Staff Development Math Resources

Resources for Parents/Families

supervisors, directors, curriculum specialists, mentor-coaches, and T/TA staff.An additional set of 32-video-based lessons for self-study for teachers individually or in teams.

Six Math Webcasts intended for personnel who support ECE classroom teaching teams:

Math Webcasts an Related Resources

ECLKC Resources for Parents/Families

Help children learn math during everyday--I ncl routines. Parents can mathematize home

experiences including when children are dressing, setting the table, eating a meal, or picking up toys. More options to connect math for children can

happen while at the grocery store orin the park.Share free ECLKC Math and Science resources with parents and families to

extend children’s learning to the home.

#4 Poll

Early Childhood Learning & Knowledge Center

http://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/hslc

Share your Take Aways about STEM and the Natural WorldAND Stay Connected with Us

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Suzanne’s contact information:SuzanneT@hsicc.org